PRESENT DADS

Hey new mums and mums to be, today's post is about letting Dads be dads!

Starting from the supply of sperm to fertilise your egg to various appointments, scans, antenatal classes and down to the delivery room plus a couple of weeks paternity leave. Dads all over the world  have shown that they matter. The process would not be complete without them.

Mums get longer maternity periods and we spend a lot of time caring for baby. We get so good at it that sometimes we think no one can do it like we can. We tell dads things like 'don't hold my baby like that', 'do it this way, do it that way' Our attitude sometimes can be a bit off putting.  Mums it's time to encourage dads to be as involved as they had been from the start of the process. It took two of you (plus God) to create this little one and it's going to take mum and dad working together to raise this baby.

For various reasons some dads are not able to be present. Sometimes the absence is deliberate, other times sadly it can be as a result of death. Big shout out to all the single mothers out there, more grace and strength to you!

If your baby has got a present dad, let him be present in every sense of the word. Mums and Dads have different roles. And these roles matter so much to the baby.

My husband has a habit of playing 'rough' with Ally. Sometimes he throws her up towards the ceiling, my heart is usually in my mouth at such moments. Once I cautioned him and he said 'that's why you are the mum and I am the dad' So I'm learning to do my mum thing while he does his dad thing, so Ally gets the best of mum and dad.

Dads maybe slow, or may not put the nappy on properly but let them do it, you don't have to take over everything. You can be there to guide them as they do it. Or even go out and leave baby and daddy to bond. Obviously start small don't just throw them in the deep end!

Mums, try not to compare your husband with another lady's husband. Some men, depending on how they were brought up are more nurturing and sensitive than others. If there are adjustments you would like dad to make, discuss them with him and help him step by step. Most dads desire to be good, present and involved fathers, they may just not know how. Being present and involved starts now while your baby is still young. Dad should not be a stranger. Let Dads bond with their baby. Bonding at this stage may mean changing nappies, feeding, going out for walks, drives, playing together...

What I have learnt personally is that our roles differ and each role matters. None is more important than the other. So dearest mums, let dads be dads!